COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A Thunderbird jet crashed after a flyover at the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony where President Obama spoke Thursday.
The pilot ejected from the aircraft before it landed in a grassy field south of the Colorado Springs airport. The pilot is being evaluated by members of the Colorado Springs Fire Department, according to the Colorado Gazette.
Pictures show the plane still intact in the field. Air Force officials say the Thunderbird suffered engine failure, but the cause is not known pending an investigation, the paper reports.
.@Thunderbirds pilot here for @AF_Academy graduation ejects b4 crash. https://t.co/dgqgWt67vQ pic via @NathanVanDyne pic.twitter.com/VrAdQzhuz1
— Jerry Herman (@coloherman) June 2, 2016
The crash happened shortly after President Obama addressed more than 800 cadets and a crowd of roughly 28,000 people at Falcon Stadium.
This is the second time since 2012 that he has spoken at an Air Force graduation ceremony.